Point of Service Plan (POS)

A point of service plan (POS) is another type of health care management of group health insurance with characteristics of both an Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO). There is more flexibility than Health Maintenance Organization (HMOs) and less than a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO).

What is a Point of Service Plan (POS)?

In a POS plan, you choose a practitioner from a list of participating providers in an Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). All your medical care is directed by the doctor, then he is your "point of service." This doctor generally refer to other doctors in the network if you need a specialist. There is a wide basis of medical providers in the network, which usually covers a large geographical area.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of POS Plans

In POS, you will have more freedom to see providers outside the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) network. That freedom has a price, so that every time you see an out-of-network, will cost extra. Your decision to choose such a plan must be based on whether this freedom should be an additional premium price.

The emphasis is on preventive education and health, similar to an Health Maintenance Organization(HMO), whose members are encouraged to participate in programs that lead to healthier choices and lifestyles.

Who Should Choose A Point Of Service Plan?

It depends on the details of the plan compared to what else is available in your area. If you are interested in a low-cost savings with limited choices still to travel frequently and require regular health care provider outside the network service plan may be just what you're looking for.

What Is The Point Of Service Plans Different From HMO Or PPO?

An important difference is that the point of service plans to their policyholders to receive their medical care outside the network, although the use of facilities and physicians within the network are encouraged.

Based on the idea that medical expenses can be provided more cheaply in exchange for limited choices of health care facilities and medical point of service plans have a number of deviations from the corresponding type of plan. For example, a recent member of the insured and the plan for services that need to choose a primary care doctor to keep an eye on their health. This doctor will become the new contractor in terms of service and a list of pre-selected medical officer of the approved medical provider network.